Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Amid Staffing Crisis, 78% Of Nursing Homes Worry They'll Have To Close
Axios: Nursing Homes Could Be Forced To Close If Staff Shortage Worsen
78% of nursing homes are concerned they may have to close if the staffing emergency persists, as are 71% of assisted living facilities, according to a survey by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. 86% of nursing homes and 77% of assisted living providers said the problem has worsened in the last three months. Nearly all are asking employees to work overtime or extra shifts.(Kingson, 9/23)
NPR: Short-Staffed Health Care Employers Fear Workers Will Quit Over Vaccine Mandate
When Pam Goble first heard that President Biden was mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for health care workers, she had one thought: It's about time. Goble is owner and CEO of Ability HomeCare, a pediatric home health care agency serving 900 children in San Antonio, Texas. Of her 261 nurses and therapists, 56 have declined to get the vaccine. (Hsu, 9/23)
Modern Healthcare: Hospital Staffing Troubles, Raging COVID-19 Leave Leaders Eyeing Service Cuts
As healthcare systems struggle to keep up with the ongoing COVID-19 surge, leaders being are forced to make difficult staffing decisions. Their already-strained teams are suffering from burnout, and some workers are leaving the profession altogether, worn out by the pandemic. Others have become travelers, lured by higher compensation and flexible scheduling. And a small number of employees are choosing to leave their jobs rather than get a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine. (Christ, 9/22)
In other news about covid mandates —
AP: Mormon Church To Require Masks In Temples Amid COVID Surge
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Wednesday that masks will be required inside temples to limit the spread of COVID-19. Church leaders said in a statement that masks will be required temporarily in an effort to keep temples open. The message was the latest in a series of statements from church leaders encouraging masking and vaccination efforts against COVID-19. (9/22)
AP: TD Garden To Require Vaccinations Or Negative COVID-19 Tests
Anyone hoping to attend an event at the TD Garden — including Bruins or Celtics games and concerts — will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result. The rules apply to players, referees, coaches, musicians, vendors, ushers and everyone else entering the arena. Amy Latimer, president of TD Garden, said the goal is to keep everyone safe. (9/22)
AP: Idaho Lawmakers Look For Ways To Nullify Vaccine Mandates
Idaho should adopt a health policy that would make vaccine status a private medical record that employees could refuse to make available to employers as a way to thwart President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate, an attorney told lawmakers Wednesday. Christ Troupis told the Committee on Federalism that such a law would insulate employers from potential federal penalties involving COVID-19 vaccine mandates. (Ridler, 9/22)
CNN: University Of Georgia: More Than 50 Faculty Members Announce Plans To Mandate Masks In Their Classrooms
Educators at the University of Georgia have announced plans to require masks in their classrooms despite their state university system not mandating mask-wearing, and say they face potential punishment for following through. More than 50 UGA life science faculty members this week sent a letter to university administrators, stating their actions are needed to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. (Riess and Lemos, 9/22)
The Atlantic: What Do The Lefty Anti-Vaxxers Do Now?
Conspiracy theorists who discount the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and other public-health mandates are often portrayed in the media as right-wing. That’s for good reason: a not-insignificant number of the most vocal conspiracists tie their ideology firmly to President Donald Trump and the right-wing MAGA movement he inspired. Videos of angry red-state demonstrators pushing back against school boards and other local authorities in public hearings, and repeating outlandish, baseless misinformation, have made the rounds in traditional media. (Higgins, 9/22)
